Sports Blog 20/06/2018: FIFA World Cup Preview – Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia/Iran vs Spain, Wednesday 20th June 2018

On paper there could be some rather large score-lines this Wednesday – though so far this World Cup has proven admirably willing to go off script.

Looking to secure a place in the last-16, and challenge the hosts for the Group A top-spot, Uruguay face a fragile Saudi Arabia at 4pm on BBC One. The Uruguayans weren’t at their best against Egypt; even without Mo Salah the North African side ran them close, only to lose it in the 89th minute as Jose Gimenez bagged the South Americans all 3 points. That’s a poor showing from a team that includes Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani, especially with Russia in such high-spirits.



Luckily Uruguay have a potential confidence-booster in Wednesday’s fixture. The Saudis were hammered 5-0 in the tournament curtain raiser; god knows how they’ll cope with even an underperforming Suarez and Cavani, the forwards at hefty Super Mega PGMs of 70-80 and 59-69 respectively. Oscar Tabarez’s men could be in for a very productive afternoon, with Spreadex offering a Uruguay/Saudi Arabia Goal Supremacy spread of 1.95-2.15 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.9-3.1.

Wednesday evening then sees Iran try and spring another surprise when they take on Spain at 7pm on ITV. Though not quite as surprising as some of the results from the first round of fixtures, Iran weren’t exactly the fancied side going into their first game against Morocco. Yet thanks to a 95th minute own goal from Aziz Bouhaddouz they ended up going to the top of Group B, leaving them with the (admittedly very slight) chance of a place in the last-16.



Sadly, Iran may come crashing back down to earth in Kazan. After an exhilarating draw against Portugal, Spain will be looking to put their best foot forward on Wednesday with a sizeable win against Carlos Queiroz’s men. Diego Costa especially will want to continue his pursuit of the Golden Boot, his brace against the Portuguese gifting him a Super Mega PGM of 50-58. The Spaniards shouldn’t be too troubled tonight, with Spreadex offering a Spain/Iran Goal Supremacy spread of 1.75-1.95 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.65-2.85.